Dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia is a systemic metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal concentrations of lipids or lipoproteins in the blood, including elevations in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or triglycerides, and often a decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (StatPearls, 2023). It is not a single molecular target, such as a receptor or enzyme, but rather a clinical condition that serves as a primary risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), including myocardial infarction and stroke (NIH, 2022). Pharmacological management of dyslipidemia involves the modulation of various specific molecular targets, such as HMG-CoA reductase, PCSK9, and NPC1L1, to restore lipid homeostasis and reduce cardiovascular risk (Mayo Clinic, 2023). Because 'Dyslipidemia' describes a disease state rather than a specific biochemical entity, it is classified as a therapeutic indication rather than a drug target itself.

Other names

HyperlipidemiaHypercholesterolemiaHypertriglyceridemiaLipoprotein metabolism disorderHyperlipoproteinemia

Drugs used to treat this condition work through various molecular mechanisms, including the inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase (statins), inhibition of the PCSK9 protein (monoclonal antibodies/siRNA), inhibition of cholesterol absorption via NPC1L1 (ezetimibe), and activation of PPAR-alpha (fibrates).